Training Technician in Corning, New York at Corning Natural Gas Corp

JOB SUMMARY:

The Training Technician is responsible for developing, implementing, delivering, and continuously improving the Company's technical, safety, and compliance training programs. This position helps ensure employees possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to safely perform assigned duties while maintaining compliance with applicable federal, state, and company requirements.

The Training Technician serves as a subject matter expert for employee development by administering Operator Qualification training, coordinating new employee onboarding, conducting classroom and field instruction, developing training materials, evaluating employee competency, and supporting the Company's Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC), Public Awareness, Emergency Response, and regulatory compliance programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Safety Leadership

• Promotes and models a positive safety culture throughout the organization.
• Supports company safety initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Participates in incident investigations when training or procedural deficiencies are identified.
• Recommends procedural improvements based on lessons learned, inspection findings, and regulatory updates.
• Mentors employees during field observations and practical evaluations.

Training Development and Delivery

• Develops, coordinates, and delivers classroom, hands-on, and field-based technical training programs.
• Conducts Operator Qualification classroom instruction and practical evaluations.
• Delivers new employee orientation and onboarding programs.
• Conducts Public Awareness Program training for employees and external stakeholders.
• Provides emergency response and fire/first responder training for external emergency response agencies.
• Delivers annual refresher training and remedial training as needed.
• Coordinates training schedules with department supervisors to minimize operational impacts.
• Evaluates employee competency through practical demonstrations and field observations.
• Facilitates safety meetings, toolbox talks, and technical workshops.

Training Program Development

• Reviews, revises, and maintains company-specific training materials to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Develops new training programs, lesson plans, presentations, participant manuals, instructor guides, and practical exercises.
• Creates written examinations, skills assessments, and competency evaluations.
• Develops multimedia training resources, including videos, visual aids, and electronic learning materials.
• Ensures training materials reflect current federal regulations, state requirements, company procedures, and industry best practices.
• Continuously evaluates training effectiveness and implements improvements based on employee performance and operational needs.

Documentation and Administration

• Maintains accurate training records and employee qualification documentation.
• Prepares reports related to training completion, compliance metrics, and program effectiveness.
• Maintains inventories of training equipment, instructional materials, and training aids.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)

• Conducts field inspections and observations of covered tasks to verify procedural compliance.
• Completes Quality Assurance and Quality Control inspections in accordance with company policies.
• Participates in the annual review and revision of the Company QA/QC Plan.
• Identifies trends, training deficiencies, and opportunities for operational improvement.
• Recommends corrective actions and assists with implementing improvement initiatives.
• Assists in tracking corrective actions resulting from inspections, audits, or incident investigations.

Regulatory Compliance

• Monitors changes to applicable federal, state, and industry regulations affecting employee training and qualification.
• Assists in maintaining compliance with applicable requirements, including 49 CFR Part 192, OSHA standards, State Public Utility Commission requirements, and Company Operations and Maintenance Procedures.
• Supports regulatory inspections, audits, and documentation requests.
• Ensures training documentation satisfies applicable record-retention requirements.

Public Awareness

• Supports the Company's Public Awareness Program through employee and stakeholder education.
• Assists with Damage Prevention and 811 education initiatives.

Continuous Improvement

• Researches new instructional methods, technologies, and industry best practices.
• Benchmarks company training programs against industry standards.
• Recommends improvements to training, qualification, and competency-assessment programs.
• Assists with implementing new equipment, procedures, and technologies through employee training and education.
• Collaborates with operations, engineering, safety, and management personnel to identify future training needs.
• Completes other duties and special projects as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to deliver effective classroom and field-based instruction.
• Ability to develop technical documents, presentations, lesson plans, examinations, and instructional materials.
• Working knowledge of natural gas utility operations, construction, maintenance, safety, and related technical practices.
• Knowledge of Operator Qualification requirements and applicable federal and state regulations governing natural gas operations.
• Ability to evaluate employee competency through practical demonstrations and field observations.
• Ability to analyze inspection findings, identify trends, and recommend corrective actions.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and prioritize multiple assignments while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with employees, supervisors, contractors, emergency responders, and external training providers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience delivering classroom and/or field-based instruction.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred

• Experience administering an Operator Qualification Program.
• Experience conducting QA/QC inspections or regulatory compliance audits.
• Experience in natural gas utility operations, construction, maintenance, safety, or a related technical field.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations governing natural gas operations.
• OSHA Outreach Trainer or equivalent instructional certification.
• Industry certifications related to natural gas operations, safety, or adult education.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Works in both professional office and outdoor field environments.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, tablets, photocopiers, and filing systems.
• Requires travel throughout the service territory.
• Must be able to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and snow.
• Requires standing, walking, climbing, kneeling, reaching, bending, crouching, stooping, and balancing.
• Must be able to safely demonstrate field tasks and operate training equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May require occasional evening or weekend work to support training and operational needs.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.